RECORDING on my PSR 950

[okeedokee]

  Have done recording before. Using a USB -  Do all the usual stuff  -   shows 80 min to record. Only goes about 47 sec - quits comes up with THIS DRIVE IS BUSY NOW.  Did not  see any time coming off the 80 min.  Can't seem to get to first base.  -  Any suggestions ? Norm

[Fred Smith]

  Have done recording before. Using a USB -  Do all the usual stuff  -   shows 80 min to record. Only goes about 47 sec - quits comes up with THIS DRIVE IS BUSY NOW.  Did not  see any time coming off the 80 min.  Can't seem to get to first base.  -  Any suggestions ? Norm

First, format your USB stick on the keyboard.

Second, keep the USB free of other files.

If your USB gets fragmented with other files, then the write operation slows dow, and can't keep up with the recording.

Cheers,
Fred

[overover]

Hi Norm,

unfortunately, this is a well-known error/problem on multiple Yamaha arranger models.

As already mentioned by Fred, the main problem here is that the USB stick used is too slow to write the recorded Audio data propery onto the stick as a Wav file.

Not all USB sticks have the same writing speed. If a certain stick is extremly slow, this problem can occur more often than on relatively fast sticks.

If you didn't have this problem earlier with the same stick, the reason could be that the existing data on the stick are fragmented and/or you have deleted some files from the stick and now the new Audio file must be written "split" into many single parts to the stick.

As also mentioned by Fred, I recommend to use a fresh formatted stick for Audio recordings. (It is best to format it directly on the keyboard.) And do NOT delete any files from the stick. Instead of deleting a file from the stick just RENAME the file (e.g. add "zz" at the beginning of the filename, so that the file is displayed at the end of the list).

I also do NOT recommend to use your normal data stick (where your Styles, Registration files etc. are stored) also for Audio recording. It is best to copy the needed Registrations to the User drive and load/use it from there when making an Audio recording.


Hope this helps!

Best regards,
Chris

[Dick Rector]

Fred gave you the only correct answer. NOTHING else on your USB and the problem will be solved. This is in the past many times mentioned on this forum. I had the same problem but it seems solved with younger models. Success.

[okeedokee]

  Hi guys - Thank you for your answers.  Formatted a USB as suggested.  Thought it was working but only recorded for about 3 min. then the DRIVE is BUSY shows.  Same thing a couple of times.  -    Norm -  Wonder if a reboot might help.??

[Fred Smith]

  Hi guys - Thank you for your answers.  Formatted a USB as suggested.  Thought it was working but only recorded for about 3 min. then the DRIVE is BUSY shows.  Same thing a couple of times.  -    Norm -  Wonder if a reboot might help.??

I doubt a reboot will help. When you get "Drive Busy", your USB is too slow. I would try a different one.

Cheers,
Fred

[overover]

Hi Norm,

please make sure that the latest firmware update (V1.04) is installed on your S950:
>>> https://uk.yamaha.com/en/support/updates/firm_psr-s950.html

But the most important thing is to use a USB stick that is fast enough...


Best regards,
Chris

[Toril S]

I would try a USB 3.0 stick. Yes, the keyboard only works at the speed of 2.0. But the 3.0 is fast, so you will not get the USB busy message.

[Roger Brenizer]

While USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0, if the device (keyboard) is USB 2.0, please keep in mind that it will run with USB 2.0 speed, so there's nothing to be gained by using a USB 3.0 stick.

I'm sure Chris will correct me if I'm wrong.

[overover]

Hi Roger,

Toril is right here: Most USB 3.0 sticks are faster than USB 2.0 sticks, even if they are used only on a USB 2.0 terminal.

Basically, the USB 2.0 specification is much faster than any 2.0 stick can be. Therefore, it does make sense to simply use 3.0 sticks on the keyboard. Another advantage of this is that a 3.0 stick is much faster when you connect them to a USB 3.0 terminal on the computer.


Best regards,
Chris

[okeedokee]

Hi -  This old guy certainly appreciates all your emails.  Tried all the USB I have -  they all showed 80 min of recordable time.  Recorded for 47 sec then DRIVE Busy.  Formated got about 3 min the DRIVE Busy.   Used another older USB -  computer said - nothing on it.  Everything on keyboard the same  EXCEPT recordable time was about 47 min.  Recorded for about 12 Min.  Deleted the 12 min on my computer -  keyboard had shown abut 35 min.  Tried keyboard after - back to 47 Min.  Seems like I am recording now.  Anyone have any thoughts??  -  Again thanks a ton.  -  Norm

[Fred Smith]

Hi -  This old guy certainly appreciates all your emails.  Tried all the USB I have -  they all showed 80 min of recordable time.  Recorded for 47 sec then DRIVE Busy.  Formated got about 3 min the DRIVE Busy.   Used another older USB -  computer said - nothing on it.  Everything on keyboard the same  EXCEPT recordable time was about 47 min.  Recorded for about 12 Min.  Deleted the 12 min on my computer -  keyboard had shown abut 35 min.  Tried keyboard after - back to 47 Min.  Seems like I am recording now.  Anyone have any thoughts??  -  Again thanks a ton.  -  Norm

Your USBs are now fragmented. So they don't have as much contiguous space, which is what the keyboard needs for recording.

Cheers,
Fred

[panos]

Hi Norm,
I get this kind of messages many times too.
To avoid this,I prefer to record my playing as a midi song.(The recording buttons on the lefte side of the screen).
When the recording as a SONG is done,I push "Record" on audio buttons (right side) and almost immediately "Play" on the song play buttons (left side).
While the keyboard transforms the midi to an audio file, I do something else outside the keyboard.
It may take several attempts also to overtake the "the drive is busy" error but at least I don't start my playing all over again and save my self some time.

Also by recording a midi I can adjust better the volumes or effects after the recording if something doesn't sound that good on a different device like my computer.
Otherwise with the audio recording I can just apply a different Equalizer for the whole recording but I cannot adjust the sound for every single instrument I may wish.

This method won't work if you wish to record an audio multipad while playing or having a different time signature or a different tempo at the beginning of the song (if you play with a style).

[DrakeM]

You may want to try a Cruzer Fit USB stick.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/SanDisk-Cruzer-Fit-16-GB-USB-F/19351667?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222015529801&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=10374347980&wl4=pla-4578091579654908&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&%20wl10=Walmart&wl12=19351667_10000010639&wl14=cruzer%20fit&veh=sem&msclkid=e652801492f4185f5e3ddfd859125447

This is what I use with my S950 and record at least 10 times a day to it when working on a new custom style. I have been using the same one since 2014. I have never had an issue with it but I did purchase a second one as a back up.

I saw the same type available at Amazon as well.

Regards
Drake

[alanclare]

Hi Norm,
I get this kind of messages many times too.
To avoid this,I prefer to record my playing as a midi song.(The recording buttons on the lefte side of the screen).
When the recording as a SONG is done,I push "Record" on audio buttons (right side) and almost immediately "Play" on the song play buttons (left side).
While the keyboard transforms the midi to an audio file, I do something else outside the keyboard.
It may take several attempts also to overtake the "the drive is busy" error but at least I don't start my playing all over again and save my self some time.

Also by recording a midi I can adjust better the volumes or effects after the recording if something doesn't sound that good on a different device like my computer.
Otherwise with the audio recording I can just apply a different Equalizer for the whole recording but I cannot adjust the sound for every single instrument I may wish.

This method won't work if you wish to record an audio multipad while playing or having a different time signature or a different tempo at the beginning of the song (if you play with a style).

I also prefer to record a song as a midi file, and only play it into the usb recorder when I'm happy with it. If I want to sing along with a song, I can adjust the speed and pitch to match my very limited vocal resources. Even more useful is the ability to fiddle with the microphone/balance settings without having to do the whole song in one go.

Alan

[Toril S]

I also do it this way😀

[alanclare]

Toril

I know that you do. I copied it off you some time ago - including the use of Normalise on Audacity. Thank you.

Alan

[mikf]

Midi first, then make an audio, is definitely a good way. Allows seamless edits. With one exception, if you want to play without accompaniment, then bring the accompaniment in, you can only do this effectively using audio recording. This is because the midi clock does not reset when you start the accompaniment, so you get a pause while it 'catches up'.  Recording directly to audio avoids this.
Mike

[Toril S]

Yes Mike, I struggled with that a couple of times!

[okeedokee]

HI to all that answered my email.  What a group !!!!!  Took Drakes answer -  bought a couple of new USB - recording tickity boo now.  Marking for Recording Only.   Thank you, thank you.!!  -  Norm